2. • The goal of allergen-specific immunotherapy is
to reduce allergy symptoms in the medium to
long term. It takes about three years.
Immunotherapy can be used in both children
and adults
3. How does immunotherapy work?
• This treatment is also known as
desensitization. It aims to do exactly that:
make the immune system less sensitive to the
allergen by allowing it to "get used to" it.
4. • In immunotherapy, the body is exposed to
extracts of the allergen with the aim of
training it to react differently:
• It’s a bit like being “vaccinated” against your
own allergy. The allergen extracts can be
injected or taken as tablets or drops.
5. Which allergies can be treated
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy can't be
used for every allergy. Allergen extracts that
have been approved for use in
immunotherapy are available for
• grass pollen, grain pollen and weed pollen,
• tree pollen,
• dust mites, and
• wasp and bee venom.
6. What does the treatment involve?
• To allow their body to get used to the allergen,
only a very small amount of the substance is
used at first.
• This dose is gradually increased until their
personal maximum dose is reached, which is
then given at regular intervals.
7. There are two types of
immunotherapy
• Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT): The
allergens are delivered by injection
(sometimes referred to as "allergy shots").
• Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): The
allergens are given in the form of drops or
tablets, and are kept under your tongue
(sublingual) for one or two minutes before
they are swallowed
8. • These treatments can already lead to an
improvement in sneezing, a stuffy nose, and
itchy and watery eyes in the first year. But it
typically takes at least two to three years
before the treatment reaches its full effect.
9. What are the side effects?
• The side effects include the following:
• Mild rash at the site of the injection
• Allergic reactions such as sneezing, watery
eyes or mild asthma symptoms
• Itching and swelling in the mouth
• Tiredness and headaches
• These side effects are usually mild and
temporary.
10. Very rare: Anaphylactic reaction
• People with severe asthma can have
immunotherapy if their asthma is well
controlled and stable.
